The 2019 Pulwama Attack

On 14 February 2019, one of the deadliest and most consequential terrorist attacks in recent Indian history occurred in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. A vehicle‑borne suicide bomber targeted a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) – the largest central police force focused on internal security – killing 40 paramilitary personnel and critically wounding many others on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway near Lethapora.

The incident not only wreaked profound emotional trauma across India but fundamentally altered India–Pakistan relations, impacted the geopolitical landscape of South Asia, and reshaped security and counter‑terrorism strategies in the region. It brought into sharp focus evolving threats, intelligence challenges, and the broader conflict dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir – a region long contested and fraught with insurgency, political despair, and cross‑border tensions.

Historical and Geopolitical Background

To appreciate the full significance of the Pulwama attack, it is essential to understand the broader context in which it unfolded.

The Kashmir Conflict: An Unresolved Legacy

The Kashmir region has been the subject of territorial conflict between India and Pakistan since the two countries gained independence from British rule in 1947. Both nations claim the territory in full, but each administers only part of it, leading to multiple wars, prolonged insurgencies, and persistent tensions. Over the decades, this conflict has taken on religious, political, and nationalist dimensions that transcend local grievances.

By 2019, the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir had persisted for almost three decades, involving a mix of local militants and foreign fighters, backed at times by external groups. This environment of entrenched conflict provided fertile ground for extremist organizations seeking to exploit political grievances and violence. Emerging out of these dynamics is Jaish‑e‑Mohammed (JeM) — a Pakistan‑based militant group that claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack.

The Prelude to February 14, 2019

Security Posture and Rising Threats

In the weeks leading up to the attack, tensions were already high in the region. Intelligence agencies and local police forces had intercepted warnings and alerts related to possible militant activity. Some reports later suggested that there were up to 11 intelligence inputs between early January and early February 2019 indicating a planned “Qisas mission” — a retribution campaign by JeM militants after prior confrontations with Indian forces. These warnings were intended to alert security agencies to the possibility of an attack. However, the specifics of how these intelligence inputs were interpreted or acted upon remain contested.

Despite these alerts, large convoys of CRPF personnel continued to move between Jammu and Srinagar on the national highway, a major arterial route that passes through Pulwama and South Kashmir. On the afternoon of Valentine’s Day, these routine movements would tragically intersect with a well‑planned ambush.

The Attack Itself: Events on 14 February 2019

The Convoy and the Explosion

Around 3:15–3:30 p.m. local time, a suicide bomber driving an explosive‑laden vehicle approached the convoy of CRPF vehicles — reportedly part of a 78‑vehicle formation escorting over 2,500 personnel returning to duty in Kashmir. The bomber drove the vehicle onto the highway near Lethipora and steered it toward the fifth bus in the convoy. Moments later, it detonated, triggering a massive explosion that obliterated the bus, killed 40 CRPF personnel, and wounded dozens more, some critically.

The suicide bomber was later identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, a young local recruit who had reportedly joined JeM in 2018. Dar’s vehicle reportedly carried hundreds of kilograms of explosives, amplifying the blast’s impact and the destruction to both personnel and infrastructure along the highway.

Immediate Aftermath

The scene was described by witnesses and media reports as one of utter devastation. Twisted metal, charred remains, and shattered roadway marked the tragic moment when what should have been just another deployment became one of the deadliest attacks on Indian forces in Kashmir in decades. The injured were quickly transported to military and civil hospitals in the region, while security forces cordoned off the area and began initial investigations.

National Reaction and Public Mourning

Shock, Anger, and Unity

News of the attack spread rapidly across India, igniting a powerful wave of shock and anger. Social media was flooded with tributes to the fallen troopers and expressions of grief from every corner of the nation. Citizens lit candles, held vigils, and shared images of the tricolour in homage to the sacrifice of the security personnel. Government leaders, opposition politicians, and foreign dignitaries condemned the attack in unison.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, calling the attack a “heinous act of terror” and expressing solidarity with the families of the deceased. He reiterated that the perpetrators would be pursued relentlessly and held accountable. These remarks were echoed by political leaders across the spectrum, uniting Indian political discourse in mutual condemnation of the violence.

International Condemnation and Calls for Justice

The international community also reacted with strong condemnation. The United Nations and its Secretary‑General called for those responsible to be brought to justice and offered condolences to the families of the victims. Many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and members of the European Union, expressed solidarity with India and denounced terrorism in all forms.

Investigation and Attribution

JeM’s Claim and NIA Involvement

Within hours of the attack, Jaish‑e‑Mohammed claimed responsibility, releasing videos and statements that celebrated the act as retaliation and defiance. The group described it as part of a mission to avenge losses suffered in prior clashes.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) — India’s premier counter‑terrorism investigative body — took over the probe. Over the following months and years, the NIA pursued leads that extended from local support networks in Pulwama to connections with handlers believed to be operating from across the India–Pakistan border. Several arrests were made, including locals accused of providing logistical and operational assistance to the militants.

Court Proceedings and Legal Developments

In the years following the attack, special NIA courts and investigators continued legal actions against individuals and properties linked to the plot. In late 2025, a court ordered the forfeiture of a residential property in Pulwama that was alleged to have been used as a hideout and planning location by JeM operatives involved in the attack. This forfeiture marked an ongoing effort to dismantle infrastructure thought to support militant activities in the region.

Intelligence Review and Security Criticisms

Internal Inquiry Findings

In the months after the attack, the CRPF conducted its own internal inquiry to examine how such a devastating event could occur despite existing alert systems. The inquiry identified several issues, including an intelligence failure in terms of specific actionable warnings before the attack, and the excessive length of the convoy, which may have made it more visible and vulnerable on the highway.

According to these internal findings, while agencies had received general warnings regarding the possibility of an IED attack during that period, they did not receive specific information about a vehicle‑borne suicide bomber or the timing and location of the threat. The unusually long convoy, stretching dozens of vehicles, was also seen as making the group easier to monitor and target. If these insights are accurate, the lessons hold significant implications for future troop movements and threat assessments.

Debate Over Intelligence and Security Gaps

The question of whether the attack could have been prevented remains a subject of debate among analysts and officials. Some critics argue that more effective utilization of intelligence inputs could have led to preventive action or heightened defensive measures. Others contend that the sheer tactical planning and deception employed by JeM operatives made the attack difficult to preempt. Ultimately, the incident revealed vulnerabilities in the way intelligence was shared and acted upon — catalyzing revisions to standard operating procedures for large troop movements.

Strategic Response: Military and Diplomatic Implications

Balakot Airstrikes

One of the most significant responses to the Pulwama attack was Operation Balakot, initiated by the Indian Air Force in the early hours of 26 February 2019. India conducted airstrikes on what it described as a JeM training camp located in the forested hills near Balakot, Pakistan. This marked the first air combat engagement between India and Pakistan in decades and represented a substantial escalation in the conflict between the two nuclear‑armed countries.

While Pakistan acknowledged that airstrikes occurred, it disputed the extent of the damage and the nature of the targets, leading to divergent narratives from each side. Following the strikes, both countries scrambled fighter jets, and aerial exchanges briefly unfolded along the Line of Control (LoC) — raising fears of broader escalation.

Diplomatic Pressures and International Mediation

In the weeks after the Pulwama attack and the Balakot airstrikes, international leaders and diplomatic channels worked to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan. Countries like the United States and China encouraged restraint, while South Asian regional stability became a priority on the foreign policy agendas of multiple global actors.

Overall, the incident ignited intense diplomatic engagement, with Pakistan denying state sponsorship of the attack and India urging action against terror organisations operating from Pakistani territory. The incident underscored the fragility of peace and the ease with which localized terror events can trigger wider geopolitical instability.

Societal Memory and Commemoration

Remembering the Martyrs

Every year on 14 February, India commemorates the sacrifices of the CRPF personnel killed in Pulwama, honoring them as martyrs who paid the highest price in service to their country. Ceremonies include moments of silence, wreath‑laying at memorials, and events where families of the slain troops are honored.

Narratives of Heroism and Grief

The emotional impact of the attack extends beyond statistics and geopolitics; it touches personal stories of fathers, sons, husbands, and brothers who were part of the CRPF convoy. The sacrifice of these men has been referenced in literature, media, and public discourse as a reminder of the human cost of terrorism. Their memory continues to resonate, influencing public sentiment on security, patriotism, and the nature of service.

Long-Term Impacts on Security Strategy

Reassessment of Counter‑Terrorism Tactics

In the wake of Pulwama, Indian security forces conducted comprehensive reviews of troop deployment tactics, intelligence handling, and risk management protocols. The attack highlighted the importance of real‑time intelligence sharing, shorter and more secure convoy arrangements, and increased use of air transport for troop rotations where possible.

It also emphasized the need to enhance coordination between local police, central forces, and intelligence agencies to ensure that threat assessments are actionable and timely. While no security strategy can ever fully eliminate risk, the lessons learned have influenced training, planning, and operational doctrine.

Digital and Technological Gaps

More recently, reports have suggested that some of the materials used in preparing the explosives for the Pulwama attack were obtained through global e‑commerce platforms using techniques like VPN masking, exposing vulnerabilities in digital governance and supply monitoring. This has sparked broader discussions about how emerging technology platforms can be misused by extremist actors and what digital policy reforms are needed to anticipate such threats.